Loss of plant species richness and habitat connectivity in grasslands associated with agricultural change in Finland

The drastic loss of seminatural grasslands and the decrease in species diversity in Europe during the 20th century are closely linked to social-economic factors. Development in agricultural production drives land-use changes, and thus controls the capacity of landscapes to maintain biodiversity. In this study, we link agricultural production changes to landscape fragmentation and species diversity. Our results show that the termination of grazing on seminatural grassland caused significant changes in landscape structure and a decline in the number of vascular plant species. The decline of grazed grasslands has been driven mainly by farm-level economic efficiency and profitability interests, which have been connected with agricultural policy measures. Since 1995, when Finland joined the European Union, the area of grazed patches in our study area has again increased as a result of a support scheme for the management of seminatural grasslands.     

Management options to limit nitrate leaching from grassland

Nitrate leaching can be reduced by the adoption of less intensive grassland systems which, though requiring a greater land area to achieve the same agricultural output, result in less nitrate leaching per unit of production than do intensively managed grasslands. The economic penalties associated with reductions in output can be partly offset by greater reliance on symbiotic nitrogen fixation and the use of clover-based swards in place of synthetic N fertilisers. Alternatively, specific measures can be adopted to improve the efficiency of nitrogen use in intensively managed systems in order to maintain high outputs but with reduced losses. Controls should take account of other forms of loss and flows of nitrogen between grassland and other components of the whole-farm system and, in most instances, should result in an overall reduction in nitrogen inputs. Removing stock from the fields earlier in the grazing season will reduce the accumulation of high concentrations of potentially leachable nitrate in the soil of grazed pastures but will increase the quantity of manure produced by housed animals and the need to recycle this effectively. Supplementing grass diets with low-nitrogen forages such as maize silage will reduce the quantity of nitrogen excreted by livestock but may increase the potential for nitrate leaching elsewhere on the farm if changes to cropping patterns involve more frequent cultivation of grassland. Improved utilisation by the sward of nitrogen in animal excreta and manures and released by mineralisation of soil organic matter will permit equivalent reductions to be made in fertiliser inputs, provided that adequate information is available about the supply of nitrogen from these non-fertiliser sources.     

Ammonia emission from grassland and livestock production systems in the UK

Emissions of ammonia were measured from livestock excreta and fertilisers applied to grass swards, from grazed paddocks, from decomposing grass herbage and from an animal house containing dairy cows. Emissions from urine, dung, slurry and fertilisers were determined using a system of wind tunnels with each tunnel covering an area of 1 m(2). Emissions from grazed swards were determined using a micrometeorological mass balance method. From the results of these measurements, together with other published information, an inventory for ammonia emissions has been calculated for grassland and livestock production systems over the UK as a whole. It is estimated that emissions from grassland and cattle and sheep production amount to about 230 kt NH(3)-N annually, while emissions from pig and poultry production amount to about 40 kt and 80 kt NH(3)-N, respectively.     

畜禽养殖业清洁生产的必要性及实施对策研究--以浙江省为例

集约化畜禽养殖业的发展在提高人民生活水平的同时也给环境带来了巨大的压力。清洁生产是基于污染预防的一种环境保护的战略措施,它体现了废弃物的减量化、资源化、无害化原则。实施畜禽养殖业清洁生产是保证畜禽养殖业健康可持续发展的根本途径。分析了畜禽养殖业实施清洁生产的必要性．并根据当前畜禽养殖业清洁生产进展中存在的问题,提出了相应的对策。     

Economic valuation for sustainable development in the Swedish coastal zone

The Swedish coastal zone is a scene of conflicting interests about various goods and services provided by nature. Open-access conditions and the public nature of many services increase the difficulty in resolving these conflicts. "Sustainability" is a vague but widely accepted guideline for finding reasonable trade-offs between different interests. The UN view of sustainable development suggests that coastal zone management should aim at a sustainable ecological, economic, and social-cultural development. Looking closer at economic sustainability, it is observed that economic analyses about whether changes in society imply a gain or a loss should take into account the economic value of the environment. Methods used for making such economic valuation in the context of the Swedish coastal zone are briefly reviewed. It is noted that the property rights context matters for the results of a valuation study. This general background is followed by a concise presentation of the design and results of four valuation studies on Swedish coastal zone issues. One study is on the economic value of an improved bathing water quality in the Stockholm archipelago. The other studies are a travel cost study about the economic value of improved recreational fisheries in the Stockholm archipelago, a replacement cost study on the value of restoring habitats for sea trout, and a choice experiment study on the economic value of improved water quality along the Swedish westcoast.     

Selection for increased production and the welfare of dairy cows: are new breeding goals needed?

In many European countries, milk production per cow has more than doubled in the last 40 years. The increase in production has been accompanied by declining ability to reproduce, increasing incidence of health problems, and declining longevity in modern dairy cows. Genetic selection for increased milk yield increasingly is viewed as increasing profit at the expense of reducing animal welfare. The economic future of the dairy industry is related directly to public acceptance of its breeding and production practices. It is important to the dairy industry that welfare problems should be addressed before there is widespread condemnation of breeding and management practices. A new breeding goal aimed at improving fitness and tolerance of metabolic stress is necessary to prevent the decrease in the quality of life of dairy cows and instead, perhaps, enhance it.     

On the tragedy of the commons: When predation and livestock loss may improve the economic lot of herders

This paper studies the practice of semi-domestic reindeer (Rangifer t. tarandus) herding in Finnmark county in northern Norway. In this area, the Saami reindeer herders compete for space and grazing areas and keep large herds, while at the same time, the reindeer population is heavily exposed to carnivore predation by the lynx (Lynx lynx), the wolverine (Gulo gulo), and the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). It is demonstrated that predation actually may improve the economic lot of livestock holders in this unmanaged local common setting. There are ecological as well as economic reasons as to why this happens. The ecological reason is that predation compensates for natural mortality; that is, increased predation reduces natural mortality, indicating that the net loss due to predation actually may be quite small. When predation reduces livestock density, the feeding conditions of the animals will improve, resulting in increased livestock weight and higher per animal slaughter value. At the same time, a smaller stock reduces the operating costs of the herders.     

UASB-SBR组合工艺处理畜禽养殖废水的研究

近年来,随着中国畜禽养殖业的快速发展,落后的养殖模式和污染防治设施,使畜禽养殖污染日趋严重,畜禽养殖污染已居农业污染源之首,已成为中国环境污染的重要因素,对环境质量乃至人体健康都会产生不良影响。文中采用UASB—SBR组合工艺处理畜禽养殖废水,通过试验探讨SBR反应器启动方法及最佳运行模式,同时研究UASB反应器的启动方法。结果表明,SBR运行的最佳模式为进水0.5 h、反应8 h、沉淀1 h、出水0.5 h、闲置14 h。经过一段时间的启动,UASB和SBR反应器均成功启动,UASB—SBR组合工艺在处理畜禽养殖废水时可获得稳定的处理效果,COD、氨氮、总磷等出水水质均达到《畜禽养殖业污染物排放标准》(GB18596-2001)要求,为畜禽养殖废水处理的工程化应用提供了参考依据。     

Fishermen's interests and cooperation: preconditions for joint management of Swedish coastal fisheries

The participation of fishermen in fisheries management is discussed with varying ideas under the notions of "co-management", "participatory management" or "local management". Empirical studies within Swedish fishery have thrown new light on the preconditions for fishermen's participation in fisheries management. Among the important factors influencing failure or success are the two which we discuss here: the question of articulation, organization and representation of interests of fishermen and the question of trust between the groups that are usually cooperating in resource management, fishermen, governmental administrators and researchers. The research summarized has addressed the interests of fishermen with regard to resource management, local fisheries management, and participation of fishermen. The overarching question connecting the three themes is: How can the interests of fishermen be represented better within fisheries management? Interests and trust, "soft facts", can be as important for the success or failure of fisheries management and participation as can "hard facts" such as ownership rights, quantity and quality of resources or monetary value of resources.     

“控源-截污-资源化”模式处理面源污染

针对农村面源污染的时空范围广,不确定性大,成分、过程复杂,难以控制的特点,同时考虑废物资源化的问题,提出了"控污-截污-资源化(再利用)"CIR模式,包括三方面:通过改变不良用水习惯及耕作方式等从源头上控制污染排放;利用植物缓冲带、自然塘、沟渠湿地和表面流湿地等达到截污的目的;将畜禽养殖废水及生活黑水集中处理,产生沼气,变废为宝,于湿地内种植经济类水生植物,兼性塘内水产养殖,最终实现废物资源化(再利用)。经过将近一年半的运行测试,测试结果表明,整个模式不仅除污效率高,而且可产生良好的经济效益。     

LivestockPlus: Forages,sustainable intensification,and food security in the tropics

The increased use of grain-based feed for livestock during the last two decades has contributed, along with other factors, to a rise in grain prices that has reduced human food security. This circumstance argues for feeding more forages to livestock, particularly in the tropics where many livestock are reared on small farms. Efforts to accomplish this end, referred to as the ‘LivestockPlus’ approach, intensify in sustainable ways the management of grasses, shrubs, trees, and animals. By decoupling the human food and livestock feed systems, these efforts would increase the resilience of the global food system. Effective LivestockPlus approaches take one of two forms: (1) simple improvements such as new forage varieties and animal management practices that spread from farmer to farmer by word of mouth, or (2) complex sets of new practices that integrate forage production more closely into farms’ other agricultural activities and agro-ecologies.     

The relationship between carbon dioxide emission and crop and livestock production indexes: a dynamic common correlated effects approach

Rapid increase in carbon dioxide emission triggers climate change, while climate change poses a threat to food security. On the other hand, emission increase as a result of agricultural production continues. Considering this cycle, it is thought that examining the relationship between agricultural production and carbon dioxide emissions can help countries take emission-reducing measures and develop policies to ensure food safety. With this thought, a common correlated effect estimator was used in this study to explain the relationship between crop and livestock production index and carbon dioxide emission of 184 countries with the use of data for the period of 1998–2014. Countries were classified under four categories: low-income countries, lower middle–income countries, upper middle–income countries and high-income countries. According to DCCE test results, it was reported that a 1% increase in crop production index had effect on CO₂ emission only in lower middle–income countries. A 1% increase in livestock production index, on the other hand, was reported to increase CO₂ emission rates by 0.28, 0.49, and 0.39 in lower middle–income, upper middle–income, and high-income countries, respectively. When evaluated in general, it could be stated that livestock breeding has a higher effect on CO₂ emission in agricultural production. The findings of the present study revealed that countries need to improve agricultural production methods in ways to minimize the positive association between vegetative and livestock production in accordance with their level of development, to adopt more environment-friendly agricultural technologies and to endorse international environmental policies.

     

Urban Water Resources Quota Management: The Core Strategy for Water Demand Management in China

Since China has the largest population in the world, the available water resources per capita in China are very limited. With the rapid economic development that is currently occurring, the shortage of water resources at the national level has become extremely critical. How to solve the problems due to water scarcity and water pollution has received increasing attention from the Chinese government and various communities. In order to provide a sustainable development environment for 1.6 billion people in the future, the whole country has started to reform urban water resources management systems in terms of related policies, regulations, methodologies, and technologies focusing on improving the efficiency and effectiveness in water use. Urban water quota management has now become a core strategy in developing a water resources governance model for water demand management aiming at establishing a water-saving society. This paper introduces the main stages and the processes of implementing water quota management in China, analyzes the basic principles, and expounds the elements, information foundation, core module and operational model of the urban water quota management system. It has been demonstrated that urban water quota management has made some remarkable contribution not only in transforming the pattern of water mode and strengthening water management enforcement but also in integrating various management methods in saving water and preventing pollution.     

Economic insight into municipal solid waste management in Mumbai: a critical analysis

Mumbai generates 6256 tonnes of waste every day, of which 17.20% is recyclable, but only a fraction of this is retrieved by rag-pickers. The economic value of the retrieved material is not considered by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai in valuing the waste management system as there is no retrieval mechanism except the informal rag-picking activity. Moreover, the cost of land used for the dumping of waste is also not accounted for. In the present paper, a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis for the present system of municipal solid waste management in Mumbai is carried out, with due consideration for implicit or hidden costs and benefits. Accounting for the implicit costs and benefits showed a difference of $6 per every tonne of waste disposal. This could show a considerable difference in policy development at the municipality level. Demand supply analysis proved that the present system of waste management would not yield a feasible market solution without private sector participation. With the increasing demand for improved waste management, private sector participation is essential and a Pigouvian tax is a necessary tool to make the private sector participation in solid waste management a success.     

The use of wastewater in livestock production and its socioeconomic and welfare implications

Although epidemiological studies have found a significant amount of toxins in surface water, a complex link between animals’ access to wastewater and associated animal and human welfare losses needs to be explored. The scarcity of safe water has put stress on the utilization of wastewater for crops and livestock production. The access of animals to wastewater is related to the emergence of dangerous animal’s diseases, hampering productivity, increasing economic losses, and risking human health along the food chain. This review explores use of wastewater for agriculture, epidemiological evidence of microbial contamination in wastewater, and animal and human welfare disruption due to the use of wastewater for crop and livestock production. More specifically, the review delves into animals exposure to wastewater for bathing, drinking, or grazing on a pasture irrigated with contaminated water and related animal and human welfare losses. We included some scientific articles and reviews published from 1970 to 2017 to support our rational discussions. The selected articles dealt exclusively with animals direct access to wastewater via bathing and indirect access via grazing on pasture irrigated with contaminated wastewater and their implication for animal and human welfare losses. The study also identified that some policy options such as wastewater treatments, constructing wastewater stabilization ponds, controlling animal access to wastewater, and dissemination of necessary information to ultimate consumers related to the source of agricultural produce and wastewater use in animal and crop production are required to protect the human and animal health and welfare.     

Research on the strategic interaction of China’s regional air pollution regulation: spatial interpretation of “incomplete implementation” of regulatory policies

Research on the current strategic interaction of local governments in air pollution control is a key breakthrough. Based on the theory of Chinese style decentralization, this paper puts forward a theoretical framework to explain the incomplete enforcement of air pollution regulation. Using the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2004 to 2016, this study employs spatial Durbin model, empirically tested the inter-regional strategic interaction of air pollution regulation, and further explores the effect of performance assessment indicators on this strategic interaction. The main conclusions of this paper are as follows: (1) Empirical results confirm that adjacent provinces do exist strategic interaction of air pollution regulation. Furthermore, the strategic interaction of air pollution regulation belongs to complementarities. (2) Meanwhile, from a regional perspective, due to the low level of economic development stock and the low level of air pollution, the interaction effect of air pollution regulation strategies in northwestern region is weaker than that in southeastern region. (3) In addition, under the national sample and the southeast sample, the air environment performance assessment indicators weaken the inter-regional strategic interaction of air pollution regulation, and economic performance assessment indicators on the contrary.

     

Green finance and corporate environmental responsibility: evidence from heavily polluting listed enterprises in China

Green finance is not just a global trend, but it has become an important channel for industrialized countries to achieve sustainable growth. However, few studies have discussed the environmental governance effects of green finance from the micro-firm level. Based on the data of Chinese A-share listed firms in heavily polluting industries, we, combining with property rights and environmental regulation, empirically research the influence of green finance on corporate environmental responsibility (CER) performance. Results indicate that green finance has a significant negative effect on the environmental responsibility of heavily polluting firms. The result remains after a series of robustness tests. In addition, property rights and environmental regulation play a moderating role in the above relationship. The negative impact of green finance on CER is stronger in private firms and firms in areas with low environmental regulation intensity. Moreover, we observe that green finance decreases the CER performance of heavily polluting firms by increasing financing constraints, reducing environmental investment, and diminishing technological innovation. This study identifies the external factors that influence CER and also provides implications and theoretical support for the government to improve the setting and the implementation of green finance policy in the future.

     

Socio-Economic Stakes and Perceptions of Wetland Management in an Arid Region: A Case Study from Chott Merouane, Algeria

The objective of our study was to identify how actors from the main socio-economic sectors perceive their interactions and impacts on a sensitive wetland in an arid climate, specifically the salt pans of Chott Merouane in Algeria. The results revealed that there are three main economic stakes including agriculture, livestock production and salt mining, each activity providing a great benefit for local and national populations. The local population perceived that the current activities are conducted in such a way that they created conflict between socio-economic sectors and caused a threat for long term sustainability of the wetlands. The results highlighted the need to initiate an integrated management approach between the different sectors and to develop a shared vision for the territory.     

Heavy contamination of a subsurface aquifer and a stream by livestock wastewater in a stock farming area, Wonju, Korea

A survey of groundwater and stream water quality was undertaken in a stock farming area where livestock wastewater infiltrates into sandy unsaturated zones and saturated bedrock aquifers containing fractures. To determine the degree of contamination and track the effect of livestock wastewater on groundwater and stream water quality, the population of indicator bacteria (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, fecal streptococci, Staphylococcus spp., and sulfite-reducing clostridia) together with relevant physicochemical parameters were monitored along the wastewater flow-pathways over a 19-month period. The stream water was severely contaminated with livestock wastewater. Nearly all physicochemical and bacteriological parameters in the stream water were much greater than those in the groundwater. Nitrate-N concentrations ranged from 10.0 to 20.0 mg l(-1) in boreholes located downstream (site C) from the livestock waste disposal site, while those in the background borehole (W2) were below 1.0 mg l(-1). Densities of indicator bacteria in boreholes at site C were two or three orders of magnitude higher than those in W2 borehole. In boreholes located downstream from the livestock waste disposal site, the concentration of ammonium-N, nitrate-N, and pollution indicator bacteria increased as groundwater level rose due to infiltration of rainwater. In W2 borehole, however, physicochemical parameters and the number of pollution indicator bacteria had no correlation with the groundwater level. Collectively, these results suggest that the deep aquifers were heavily contaminated with infiltrated livestock wastewater, which consequently must be adequately treated to minimize groundwater pollution.     

Linking contemporary river restoration to economics,technology, politics,and society: Perspectives from a historical case study of the Po River Basin,Italy

River restoration is a novel paradigm of ‘mirescape’ (land-and-water-scape) management that developed along with the emergence of aquatic ecology. River restoration can be seen as the application of an ecological perspective to return rivers to nature. However, the river restoration paradigm is also the contemporary iteration of historical phases of mirescape management. We review the long and varied recorded history of the Po River in northern Italy as a case study to illustrate the transformations and common themes of mirescape management. We find, first, that significant changes in mirescape management and river condition only occur in the context of larger social, political, technological and economic transformations. Second, we show how particular cultural understandings, economic interests, technological innovations and political powers have driven particular paradigms of mirescape management. These have tended towards increasing territorial separation of wet and dry. We find, third, that these separations lead not only to increasing economic precariousness for many, but also to increasingly severe disasters. We conclude that river restoration faces social and political challenges to becoming relevant at a mirescape scale, due to its lack of integration with land management, or with current social, political, technological and economic transformations. To act on this conclusion, we suggest philosophically aligned social movements that river restoration could work with to improve impact and uptake.